Video Rails came through with flying colors on this three volume set. The intro includes some awesome graphics and upbeat techno music. Volumes I and II include graphics showing the section which Video Rails is about to show on the railroad. Included are grade measurements, maximum track speed, and even in what engine throttle the crews must run in. Volume I takes you from La Grande to Huntington. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery as well as the trains. Video Rails spent some time at the long curve at Crooks, documenting several UP trains and Amtrak's Pioneer. Volume II shows La Grand to Hinkle. The scenery has a smaller quantity of mountains, but this part of the route is very beautiful nonetheless. I enjoy the cab ride in a brand new diesel. Also included are some winter scenes. Volume III documents winter in the "Snow Zone." This video is probably the first video that Video Rails produced with an even better professional camera. I enjoy seeing the snow on the locomotives as well as on the trees. Also, the graphics are even more refined and includes a schematic diagram of La Grande's yard. An added extra shows a brand-new SD60M in switching service at La Grande. This combo DVD even shows the newest locomotives equipped with the brand-new widecab. Of all the Video Rails videos ever produced, this collection is probably my favorite. I recommend it highly to fans of modern railroading.

Additional remarks by VideoRailsFan:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

Do you enjoy mountain railroading, in various weather conditions? This is one of the finest movies made.
Based in Northeast Oregon, the movie combo series is put together in a very well manner. With La Grande as the home base point for all 3 movies of this combo, you will be amaized at the differences in the region. Vol. # 1 travels timetable east through rolling, open hills and cattle graizing land. Vol. # 2 travels timetable west departing the rolling hills and into the forested region of Oregon. A vast difference from Vol. # 1, but then settles into more open rolling land, finishing with a preview of what's to come in Vol. # 3. Vol. # 3 is winter, starting with a mild amount and graduly increasing as the Volume progresses.
I was very impressed at how the producers put the 3 Vol's. together.
Open valleys with the mountains as a back drop. Trains running at speed to mountain climbing with 2% + grades and slow motion trains. Almost hard to believe that it is all the same area. Most of the power is UP, with Amtrak making the occasional appearance, and even a Steam excursion runby. All adds to the interest.
Vol. # 3 -- Winter railroading is always a challenge, and this is no exception. Witness an auto on the highway in blowing snow. The photographer shows it all. Narration is limited, with alot of the natural sounds of the operating trains. Maps are provided which are very helpful understaning the region.
A great movie that is a bonus to any collection. Highly recommended.

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Video Rails did a fine job on this series of tapes. It was shot when the D8-40Cs and SD60Ms where brand new. There's a good variety of trains and motive power rolling through some of the prettiest scenery in the US. I highly recommend this one!

Additional remarks by Chase Freeman:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

This Video Rails program comprises 3 volumes featuring the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon:

Volume 1 covers the line from La Grande east to Huntington (since it's considered the 1st Subdivision on the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company).

Volume 2 covers the line from La Grande west to Hinkle (since it's considered the 2nd Subdivision on the OR&N). After that there's a cab ride in an SD60M locomotive from Hinkle and then some snow scenes at various unknown locations.

Volume 3 covers "Winter in the Blues" traveling the "snow zone" covering 56 miles from North Powder to Meacham.

Although there is more-contemporary footage from other producers (i.e. Machines of Iron, Railway Productions, Highball Productions, 7idea Productions, etc.), this is interesting because it covers operations in the 1990s whereas the more-contemporary footage takes place at the turn of the 21st century and even in the 2010s.

One of the interesting subjects related in that matter is Amtrak's Pioneer (utilizing outdated F40PHs) that was discontinued in 1997. There are 3 shots of that train in Volume 1 (including one that had a UP diesel on the point since the Amtrak engine was damaged in a grade crossing accident), 2 shots in Volume 2, and 3 shots in Volume 3 (the last scene of the Pioneer in Volume 3, which is also the closing train for the program, was running 12 hours late!).

In addition, older units are much more prevalent. For example, C40-8s, SD40-2s, SD60s, and other older power were more frequent than they are now. The Union Pacific wing logo was not even implemented at the time since they only started in 2000.

The first 2 volumes give informative detail about the trackage between Hinkle and Huntington including the gradient profile, distances for each segment, the throttle settings, and maximum speeds. Volume 3 gives a detailed schematic diagram of La Grande since it is the base of operations during the winter season.

The only issue is Volume 3. There are supposed to be 3 summits between Hinkle and Huntington: Kamela (covered in Volumes 2 and 3 and the steepest grade), Telocaset (covered in Volumes 1 and 3), and Encina (covered in Volume 1). But Encina is east of North Powder, where the snow zone begins. It's not clear as to why the snow zone starts at North Powder and not at a place like Durkee. But only 2 summits were covered between North Powder and Meacham: Telocaset and Kamela.

Additional remarks by Nikhil Murthy:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

good scenery, decent action and narration. worth the money.

Additional remarks by dmacleo:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

We have verified that this reviewer has purchased this item from Train Video Depot because this reviewer is a member of our loyalty program and was signed in when they purchased the item and when they left the review.

This is another excellent Pentrex DVD and covers some awesome Winter footage in the mountains. It's 3 hours of rail pounding footage at its best and I highly recommend this video for your collection. The scenery in this video footage is some of the finest I've seen yet on video and the sound & image quality is excellent. You will definitely want this video in your collection if you love mountain railroading!

Additional remarks by Texas Hi-Railer:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

Scenery is tremendous in this dvd. I really enjoy seeing and hearing the older diesel power as well as the newer power, such as the SD60's,that was just coming on the scene when the dvd was filmed.

Narration was a little overdone in some places, but not bad.

Additional remarks by Russ:
Narration: A little bit too much.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

I would give this DVD a "B." It is worth having, but it is not spectacular.

Additional remarks by Tom J:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Yes.

This is a brilliant dvd particularly part 3,this one hour part was filmed in the snow with loads of noise from the chugging GE's both types of cabs and the roar from the GMs again both cab types.The cold air must magnify these sounds. The scenery is spectacular and the camera crew deserve praise for their herculean efforts in capturing the brilliant shots from all the different angles and locations that they did. loads of excitement,action and noise pure heaven.

Additional remarks by UK Phil:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

Ugly area . Good image quality for when it was filmed.

Additional remarks by Ryan:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Overpriced for the amount of enjoyment I got out of it.
Recommend to others? Not unless they REALLY were interested in the subject matter.

If you're a railfan or a model railroader, this collection will get your blood pumping! The Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon are some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain you'll ever see. From the heat of the summer to the challenges of heavy snows, this collection shows what the Union Pacific deals with every year.